Manual knitting accessory



June 10, M WALK ET AL 2,244,903-

' MANUAL KNITTING ACCESSORY Filed April 27,- 194 2 Sheet-Shaet 1 WWII!" INVENTORS 2 ATTORNEY June 10, 1941.

M. s. WALK ET AL MANUAL KNITTING ACCESSORY Filed April 27, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 lNVENTORSl m.s.ufm x KE 1 ATTORNEYS.

iatented June 10, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MANUAL kmffiizsliooussonv I i I Mimi s. Walk and Robert P, Walk, 7

New York, N. Y.

This invention is a-novel manual knitting accessory comprising a ringadapted to be placed upon a finger of the knitter and which is formed with one or more yarn guiding ways through which the yarn flows as it passes from the source of supply to the work in the hands of the knitter; or sometimes two or more yarns may be used together, and the word yarn is to be understood in this sense. The general object of the'accessory is to assist in smoothly supplying and guiding the yarn or yarnsfrom a source to the work. Another object is to provide a suitable degree of tension in the 'yarn, and thus prevent undue slack. Under proper guiding and uniform tensioning not only is the user enabled to knit with greater convenience and celerity, but what is perhaps more. important, there results greater uniformity in the size and tightness of the knitted loops or stitches.- Other objects and advantages will be made to appear in the following description.

Essentially, the ring hereof consists of a hoop or annular portion and as a part or extension of the hoop a head or thick peripheral portion, the latter being formed with one or more smooth holes or bores of cylindrical, oval or othershape, constituting yarn guiding ways. The hoop is not necessarily a complete circle but may have a gap or may overlap at one side; and the head is not necessarily an enlargement, but is any exterior part which contains the ways. The yarn passes through the way or ways between the yarn source and the work in the hands of the knitter and, to prevent catching and perhapsbreaking of the yarn, the ways are formed in ternally with a smooth surface. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the accessory is provided with three ways, one or more of which may be used at any time depending upon the size or character of the yarn and the drag or tension desired. Thus, by way of ex ample, if it should be desired to tension the yarn in excess of that which one yarn way would afford, all three ways maybe used, in which case the yarn could be caused to travel a tortuous path, in one direction through the first way, in the reverse direction through the second way, and finally in its original direction through the third way and thence on to the work, although the relative directions of the Ways may be varied. The friction resulting from the simultaneous use of three ways, as well as by the several reversals in direction, will substantially exceed that provided by the use ofonly one ortwo of the yarn- While the yarn ways could be disposed perpendicular to the plane of the ring, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, said ways are located parallel to the plane of the ring, since the latter direction more nearly conforms to the natural direction in which the yarn flows to the ring from the source, as well as to the direction'in which the yarn leaves the ring as it passes along to the work;

Also, in accordance with an important feature of the invention, there is provided a yarn entrance slot in conjunction with each yarn way so that the'yarn at any point in its length, and at anytime, may beslid laterally into the way without the necessityof having to cut the yarn or thread it in endwise; This feature is particularly desirable if, in the course of knitting, the work has to' be discontinued for a period. Under such circumstances, were it not for the entrance slots, the ring would have to be removed from the finger and left with the work or else. the yarn severed. Should it be desired to use the ring in conjunction with other knitting, or if a changezof yarn is made, the yarn would have to be severed, which is obviated by this feature. The lslots have utility also in a case where, say, the knitter is usingbut a single yarn way and during the course of the work finds it desirable to use a plurality of yarn ways to obtain more tension, or desires to reduce the tension.

-By a specific feature the yarn entrance slots are made substantially narrower in width than the diameter of the yarn ways. This avoids accidental slipping out of the yarn. Preferably the width; the dimensions of each slot is such thatconsiderable stretch has to beapplied to the yarn to attenuate it and permit forcing it through the slot during the insertion into or removal of the yarn from the .Way. As a further precaution against the inadvertent disengagement of the yarn from the yarn ways, the slots may be cut obliquely into the ring so as to enter andmerge with the yarn ways tangentially to the cylindrical or other bounding surfaces of the ways. i.

As has been said, while itis preferred that the yarn'ways be located parallel to the plane of'the ring, some users may prefer them at an'angle or perpendicular to the plane of the ring, for example, parallel to the finger of the user, and rings provided with yarn ways thus located are included within the broad scope of the invention. Indeed, in order, that the ring accessory have the utmost :in flexibility, "it'may be constructed with and the other series intersecting the first series at right angles thereto. This constructionnot only affords a selection of directions in which the yarn can be caused to approach the work from the ring, but in addition, because of the large number of tortuous paths which theyafrnl" may be caused to follow as it passes through the ring, the degree to which the yarn maybe tensioned can be varied over a wide ran e.

- Referring to the drawings, I

. Fig. 1 isaperspective .view of afirstform of ring constituting'an embodiment of the invention, the yarn ways in this form being disposed parallel totheplane of the ring, the ring being shown withthree ways, all in use.

'Fig. 2 is an enlarged elevation of the ring. shown in Fig. 1, a part of thehead portion being in section to show the construction'of a yarn way.

Fig; 3 isatop view of the. ring shown in Figs. 1and.2. 1

Fig. 4 is. a transverse sectional view on line 4-4 of Fig. 2, while Fig. 4a:is similarv but showing a modification in the'yarn entrance slot.

.Fig..5 is an elevationalview of a ring formed in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention and. wherein the yarn ways are disposed perpendicular to. the plane of the ring, that is parallel to thefingen,v Fig. 6 is'a top view of theringshowninFig. 5.

Fig. 7 isan elevational view of a ring formed in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention-and wherein the. head: portionthereof is a block swingable on the .hoop portion. Fig. 8 is a top view. of the ringshown inFig. 7.

Fig. 8 is atop View of the ring shown in Fig. '7.

Fig. 9 is, an elevational view of a form of an attached head different from Fig. but usable with the hoop thereof.

Fig. 10 is an elevational view of a ring formed inaccordance with .a. fourth embodiment of the invention and wherein are provided intersecting yarn ways, shown. disposed in directions parallel and perpendicular to theplane of the ring. Fig. 11, isa top view of the ring shown in Fig. 10. Figs. 12 and 13 are horizontal sectional views taken on the line l2-.l 2 through thebezel of the ring shown in Fig. 10 and illustrating two of the many tortuous paths theyarn may be caused to traverse.

Fig. 14 is an elevation view of a ring illustrating a form of entrance slot modifiedfrom that of Fig. 5.

Fig. 15 is asimilar view of a modification of the rings shown in Figs. 1 and 5.

Fig 16 is a View like Fig. 4 showing a yarn way modified from that of Fig. 14.

The ring shown in Figs. 1 to 4 comprises a hoop portion A adapted to be positioned on the little finger adjacent to the palm, or, if desired, on one'of the other fingers of the user, either between. the outer two joints or fully inward adjacent to the palm. It comprises also a head or grooved peripheral portion A which is formed with one or more yarn ways A in this case disposed parallel to the plane of the ring. The yarn ways are shown three in number, although obviously a lesser or a greater number could be provided if desired, and each is preferably cylindrical or other shape in cross section, with its internal surface smooth so as not to obstruct the passage of the yarn therethrough. For each way is a restricted entrance slot A to admit the yarn Y readily to the way, as will be further described.

By disposing the yarn ways parallel to the plane of the ring, the yarn Y will flow in a natural maniner in passing from the source of yarn through the appliance to the work. The tension or drag "upon the yarn may be regulated by using either one or more of the yarn ways, depending upon the 'weight or size of the yarn. Thus, where the yarn is heavy, its diameter may be such that it will frictionally contact with the yarn way wall over substantially the entire surface thereof, Under such conditions, the frictional drag on the yarn will frequently be sufficient to exert the proper tension and'control the flow to prevent undue looseness between the ring and the fabric being knitted. On the other hand, where a lighter yarn is used, that is, one having a diameter somewhat smaller than the diameter of the yarn way, three of the ways may conveniently'be employed, in which case, as shown in Fig. 1 the yarn, coming from the source, may be caused to pass, first through one of theend ways, "then around and back through the center way, and then in its original direction through the other end way1and thence to the work. The tortuous path thus pursued will cause a greater frictional drag upon the yarn and thus increasethe tension therein as it is pulled along to the work. I

Closed yarn ways compel inconvenient thread-- ing of yarn ends through them and cutting of yarn for that purpose, which isobjectionable, Inorder to permit the yarn readily and quickly to be inserted and removed from the yarn ways,v each way is formed with anentrance slot A as already mentioned. Each slot affords a lateral entrance to its way, extending from the outer side of. the

' head and terminatin'gat the cylindrical ,or oval surface of the way, theisl'ot extending lengthwise in the same direction as the'way itself, and being narrower than the diameter of the way The outer sides of the slots, adjacent-the outer surface of' the bezel, are preferably'fiared asat A so as .to facilitate the entrance of the yarng'as shown in Figs. '15, ori la, .sothat'byf somewhat. stretching the yarnit may. be'pulled into .the.way. The purpose of thisis to prevent or minimize ac-- cidental removal of the yarn once it 'hasbeenen-i gagedinthe way. l r

As a further guardagain'stthe accidental his? engagement of the yarn, theloweror inner-pop tion of the slot, as shown in Fig. Aaand others,

may be slantingly disposed so that the slot enters the yarn at a tangent to the contourofthe latter. It will be apparent that with su'cha' constructioh','l an ordinary outward pull on the yarn awayfrofn' the ring would not dislodge it from theyarn way;

which in eifect is formed withafpocket. other";

words, in order'to dislodge the yarn.froin'..the way, a conscious effort'on the part .of theuser is required. To remove-at will the yarn from a way, the most convenient mode. is to'stre'tch'a short adjacent portion of the'yarn and force the yarn asecond time into'the same way, permitting. the two portions of-theyarn then readilytoj be pulled out endwise from the way.

In describing the grooved peripheral portion of tearing as ahead, it is not intended to limit this in Fig. 2 among others. It is essentially a thick portion of the ring, but not necessarily a thickened portion; it must be thick enough to receivethe grooves without weakening the ring, while it is not essential that the balance of the periphery should be any thinner. In certain embodiments hereof there is involved a single enlarged head at one side of the ring, as in Fig. 2, which is preferable in order to provide ample material to con-- tain the grooves or ways; and instead of being an'enlargement, the head may consist of anattached block, for example, as in Fig, 7.

v In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the ring B carries a modified form ofhead B, and the yarn way's B and slots-B are disposed in the head at an angle or at right angles to the plane of the ring, that is, parallelto the finger. extra bends of yarn may serveto improve the tension.

Since it is conceivable that the accessory may be used by more than one person whose preferences may vary as regards the direction in whichthe yarn is fed to the work, an embodiment of theinvention as shown in Figs. 7 and 8 has been devised to afford shifting adjustmentthereof.

Here, the head C of the ring is made as a block or separate piece from the hoop portion C, and is formed in its under surface with a cylindrical shank or boss C arranged to extend into and have a sliding fit in a hole drilled for the purpose in the hoop. According to this arrangement, the head or grooved portion of the ring can. be

. swiveled or rotated into any desired angular position with respect to the plane of the ring, as is shown in Fig. 8. The desired angular adjustment may be maintained by a set screw threaded into the hoop portion, adjacent to the head or block, from the outer lateral surface of the hoop portion; or the head may swivel under friction if preferred. The set screw, at its inner end, is arranged to engage the boss C of the block and when the screw is tightened the adjusted position of the block will be maintained. Here too, the head may be provided with three yarn ways C having entrance slots C In this embodiment of the invention, the entrance slots are shown disposed radially with respect to the yarn ways, although the tangential disposition could be employed if desired.

Fig. 9 shows a modified block or grooved head portion C for use in connection with a hoop of the type shown in Figs. '7 and 8. Here, however the center portion of the head is thickened or raised so as to accommodate a center yarn way of substantially larger diameter than the other ways. This construction permits the ring to be used with a larger selection of yarns insofar as weight and size are concerned, or on the other hand permits a greater selection in the degree of tension that may be applied to the yarn.

In Figs. 10 to 13, there is illustrated a ring wherein the hoop D carries a head portion D which is formed with one series of yarn ways D arranged at an angle or right angles to the plane of the ring and a second series of yarn ways D" disposed at an angle or right angles to, thereby to intersect, the first series. As in the embodiments previously described, the yarn ways are formed each with an entrance slot D to facilitate the insertion of the yarn into the way, the slot entering the yarn way at a tangent thereto The yarn flow is less naturalbut the crossing ways and slots, insofar. as varying the tension on the yarn Y. is concerned, is illustrated in Figs. 12 and 13. InFig. 12 the yarn first engages a yarn way D disposed parallel to the plane of the ring and after pursuing a tortuous path through other yarn ways D .etc., finally passes out from' a difi'erent yarn .way disposed parallel to the planeof the ring. In this arrangement the flow is natural and enters and leaves in the same direction. On the contrary in Fig. 13 the yarn enters a way D 'disposed perpendicular to the plane of the ring, or parallel to the finger, and after traveling a different tortuouspath emerges from a yarn way in a direction parallel. to the plane of the ring, whereupon it proceeds tothe work. These two illustrations have beengiven merely by way of example, it being obvious that the various pathsthe yarn may be caused to traverse areinnumerable in a ring of this character. Again, it is to be understoodthat the number of yarn ways in each of the two series may be varied as desired, and they maybe disposed at various angles to the plane of the ring andmay mutually intersect at various angles, degrees or otherwise. I

In Fig. 14, as a modification of Fig. 5, the head portion 28' has the yarn ways B but with somewhat different entrance. slots B Here, it will be observed that each entrance slot is tangentially disposed with respect to the yarn way, but is disposed vertically downward from the outer face of the bezel, instead of slantingly, and is offset to secure the tangential arrangement. This type of entrance slot is effective in minimizing inadvertent dislodgment of the yarn from its. way.

Fig. 15 indicates that the hoop A need not be an exact circle, but may be formed of a strip or otherwise, with its ends offset, either overlapping, or leaving a gap as shown. The head A merges smoothly into the hoop contour, and carries a single yarn way A with a centrally positioned entrance slot A having a funnel like entrance A In Fig. 16, the single yarn way B is oval instead of round as in Fig. 14; and the yarn. is seen confined in flattened condition, affording greater frictional drag. The entrance slot B is shown at the narrow side of the way.

In the accompanying drawings the invention has been shown merely in preferred form and by way of example, but obviously many further variations and modifications may be made therein which will still be comprised within its spirit. It is understood therefore that the invention is not limited to any specific form or embodiment except insofar as such limitations are specified in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A manual knitting accessory consisting in a finger ring with a single enlarged head at one side, and having disposed in said single head a plurality of yarn guiding ways and for each way an outwardly extending entrance slot substantially narrower than the way and through which the tautened yarn can be forced inward into running engagement within the way; and said plurality of ways being arranged in substantial disalinem-ent in the single head whereby the yarn traversing them in succession flows along a toras shown and for the purpose pr eviousiy dahead in substantial parallelism thereby to caus yarn flow along a zigzag path.

3. A knitting accessory as in claim 1 and wherein each of'the entrance slots is disposed with tangentialentrance to its way.

{1; A manual knitting accessory consisting in a finger ring with a head. and having disposed in saidhead a plurality of yarn guiding ways and for each way an outwardly extending entrance slot. substantially narrower than the way and through which the tautened yarn can be forced inward into running engagement within the way; and said entrance slots being each disposed with tangential entrance to its way whereby to minimize accidental disengagement.

5. A knitting accessory as in claim 1 and wherein the several ways are at a substantial angle to the plane of the ring.

6. A manual knitting accessory consisting in a finger ring with a head, and having in its head a plurality of yarn guiding ways and extending outwardly from each way an entrance slot narrower than the way through which the yarn can be forced inward into the way, said plurality of ways being in mutually intersecting arrangement in said head adapted to. guide the flow of yarn along a tortuous path with resulting substantial friction and tension.

7. A knitting accessory as in claim 6' and wherein the ways in the head are in avplurality of groups, those in onegroup crossing angularly those in another group.

8. A knitting accessory as in claim 6 and wherein the ways comprise a plurality disposed substantially parallelto the length of the finger and-a plurality disposed'substantially at ri ht angles thereto. I I

9. A manual knitting accessory consisting in a finger ring with a head, and having in its head one or more yarn guiding ways and extending outwardly from each way an entrance slot narrower than the way through which the yarn can be forced into the Way, and said head consisting of a block swivelled to the ring periphery to permit rotation to different angular positions.

10. A knitting accessory as in claim 9 and wherein is means adjustably to secure and set the block in a selected position with its ways in desired directions. Y

11. A knitting accessory as in claim 1 and wherein the plurality of yarnways include ways of different gage, whereby differing dispositions,

of the yarn can be selected for tension varying purposes.

12. A knitting accessory as in claim 4 and wherein the plurality of yarnways include ways 13. A knitting accessory as in claim 9 and wherein the plurality of yarnways include ways of difi'erent gage, whereby difierin'g dispositions of the yarn can be selected for tension varying purposes.

MIMI S. WALK. ROBERT P. WALK. 

